Primer for Voters 

[Connecticut Edition J9J4] 


CONTENTS. 


Page 


(I) Voting in Connecticut. 

Those Entitled to Vote. 

Qualifications of an Elector.. 

The Admission of Electors... 

The Registration of Voters. ..... 

Women Voters. (For school officers). 

Party Enrollment... 

Voting Districts; — General Form of Ballot. 

(II) Elections Held in Connecticut. 

Election of Presidential Electors. 

State Election...... 

Town Meetings; City Meetings: Borough Meetings. . 

Special Elections...■ • * . 

The National Presidential Election. 

(III) Departments and Officers of the National 

Government..... ••••** 

The Election of the United States Senators and Rep¬ 
resentatives . 

(IV) Departments and Officers of Connecticut 

State Government. 

(V) Connecticut County, Town, City, and Borough 

Government.. 

(VI) Bridgeport City Government. 

Hartford City Government. 

New Haven City Government. 

(VII) Congressional and Senatorial Districts. 

(Counties in each.) 


1 

1 

1 

7 

9 

10 

11 

13 

13 

13 

15 

15 

16 


17 

19 


21 


28 

34 

38 

43 

48 


FACTS UPON WOMAN SUFFRAGE 

The Extent of Woman Suffrage in the United States 
The Effect of Woman Suffrage upon Legislation. 




























Primer for Voters 


CONNECTICUT EDITION 
1914 


COMPILED 

BY 

M. G. STAPLER 


> > 

> > > 

’»' 


Printed for 
the 


CONNECTICUT WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION 

Hartford, Conn. 





I 



t 



©CU393013 




COPYRIGHT, 1911 
COPYRIGHT, 1914 

BY 


M. G. STAPLER 


DEC 30 19(4 


VOTING IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. 

Elections Held. 

The following elections are held in the State of Connec¬ 
ticut: The National Presidential Election; the State 
Election; Town Meetings; City Meetings; Borough Meet¬ 
ings; Special Elections. 

Those Entitled to Vote. 

Persons are entitled to vote at an election, who have 
been admitted as electors of the town in which the election 
is held, and who have been registered upon the last revised 
town voting list. 

Qualifications for Admission as an Elector . 1 

Any male citizen of the United States, who is twenty-one 
years of age, may be admitted an elector of a town, —(1) 
provided he has resided in the State a year preceding the 
time at which he makes application to be admitted an 
elector, — (2) provided he has resided in the town six 
months preceding the time at which he makes application 
to be admitted an elector, — (3) provided he is able to 
read in the English language, — (4) provided he is of 
good moral character. 

The Admission of Electors. 

At appointed times before the State Election, and 
biennially at appointed times before the regular Town 
Meeting, 2 the Selectmen and Town Clerk of each town hold 
“Sessions for the Admission of Electors.” 

1 General Statutes, (Sec. 1593). 

2 When a town and city have become incorporated, Sessions for Admission are 
held biennially before the City Meeting. 


5 



No person may be admitted an elector at a “Session 
for Admission,” unless he has been registered upon the last 
revised town voting list, under the title “To be made” 
(to be made an elector ). 1 

A person, on applying for admission as an elector, is 
examined as to his qualifications, and is required to read 
at least three lines of the Constitution, or of the State 
Statutes. If found qualified, he is administered the oath 
provided for electors, and is thereupon admitted as an 
elector of the town. 

He may thereafter vote at any election held in the town, 
provided he continues his residence in the town, and 
provided his name is upon the last revised town voting 
list. 

If the applicant for admission as an elector is a natura¬ 
lized citizen, he is required to present a copy of the record 
of his naturalization. 

Admission of Electors Before the State Election. 

A Session for the Admission of Electors is held in every 
town on Friday of the third week before the State Election. 
The Session may be adjourned, if necessary, from time to 
time until Friday of the following week. 

Persons registered on the voting list under the title 
“To be made,” who have not gained the qualifications of 
an elector by the Friday of the second week, but who will 
gain them on, or before, the day of the election, may be 
admitted electors at a Session held the day before the 
election. 

Notice of the time and place of holding Sessions for 
Admission is published several days previously in each 
town. 


1 Registration of Voters 


Page 7 




Admission of Electors Before Town Meetings. 

In towns having a population of over 10,000 inhabitants, 
(Hartford and Bridgeport excepted), a Session for the 
Admission of Electors is held in odd years, on Saturday 
of the second week before the annual Town Meeting. In 
towns having a population of less than 10,000 inhabitants, 
a Session for the Admission of Electors is held in even 
years, on Saturday of the second week before the 
annual Town Meeting. 

In Hartford Sessions for the Admission of Electors are 
held in even years, on appointed days before the City 
Election. 

In Bridgeport Sessions for the Admission of Electors 
are held in odd years, on appointed days before the City 
Meeting. 

Notice of the time and place of holding the Sessions 
is published in each town several days previously, also a 
notice if any additional Sessions are to be held. 

Who May be Registered . 1 

Any person who has resided in the State a year, and in 
a town six months preceding the election at which he 
intends to vote, and who has been admitted an elector of 
the town, or previously registered as an elector, is entitled 
to be registered as an elector upon the town voting list. 

No person may vote at an election whose name is not 
upon the last revised town voting list. 

No person is considered to have lost his residence in a 
town while absent in the service of the State or the United 
States. 

Registration of Voters Before the State Election. 

The Registrars of Voters in each town hold a Session 
for the Registration of Voters, on the fourth Monday 
preceding the State Election. 


i General Statutes, (Sec. 1601). 


7 



At this Session they revise the town voting list, and add 
to it the names of persons who will be entitled to be made 
electors on, or before, election day. The names of these 
persons are placed upon the voting list under the title 
“To be made,” — (to be made Electors). 

The voting list, when revised, is publicly posted. 
The list contains a notice of times at which additional 
Sessions are to be held, within the next twelve days, for 
the revision and correction of the list. 

Electors should see whether their names are upon the 
list when it is posted. If their names have been omitted, 
they should notify the Registrars at one of the additional 
Sessions. 

No person may be registered under the title “To be 
made” later than the fourth Monday preceding the election. 

No elector may have his name added to the voting list 
after the twelfth day fixed by law for the revision of the 
list. 

Registration of Voters Before Town Meetings. 

In each town having a population of more than 10,000 
inhabitants (Hartford and Bridgeport excepted), a Session 
for the Registration of Voters is held on Thursday of the 
third week before the regular Town Meeting, in odd years. 

In each town having a population of less than 10,000 
inhabitants, a Session for the Registration of Voters is 
held on Thursday of the third week before the regular 
Town Meeting, in even years. 

In the town of Hartford, a Session for the Registration 
of Voters is held on Thursday of the third week before the 
City Meeting, in even years. 1 

In the town of Bridgeport, a Session for the Registra¬ 
tion of Voters is held not later than twenty days before 
the City Meeting, in odd years. 2 

Notice is published in each town if any additional 
Sessions are to be held. 

1 The Hartford City Meeting is held annually the first Monday in April. 

2 The Bridgeport City Meeting is held annually on the Tuesday after the first 
Monday in November. 

♦Registration of Electors in town of New Britain [Chap. 105 , Public Acts 1905 .] 

8 



The Claim for Registration. 

A person who has not been admitted an elector, or who 
has not been registered, but who will be entitled to be 
admitted an elector before the day of the election, is 
required to make a claim to the Registrars to be registered 
under the title “To be made,” (to be made an elector). 

In towns having a population of less than 5,000 inhabi¬ 
tants, the claim for registration, under the title “To be 
made,” may be made to the Registrars in person, or in 
writing. 

In towns having a population of more than 5,000 inhab- 
tants, no person may make a claim for registration under 
the title “To be made,” unless he, or an elector of the town 
in his behalf, makes a written application to the Registrars. 

Forms for Registration Claims are provided by the 
Registrars. These forms when filled out contain the appli¬ 
cant’s name and residence, — the date when he became 
twenty-one years of age, — the date when he became a 
resident of the State, — the date when he became a resident 
of the town, — if not born a citizen of the United States, 
the date when he became a resident of the United States. 

A person who has been admitted an elector of the town, 
or a person who has been registered, is not requiredto make a 
claim for registration. 

Women Voters. (For School Officers, etc.) 

Qualifications 1 

Every woman who is twenty-one years of age, who is a 
citizen of the State or of the United States, who has 
resided in the State a year, and in a town six months, and 
who can read in the English language, — may be admitted 
a voter, — and thereafter has the right to vote for School 
Officers, or Directors of Public Libraries, and upon school 
or educational questions, or questions relating to public 
libraries. 


Public Acts of 1909, (Chap. 96) 


9 



The Admission of Women as Voters. 

Women are admitted as voters at the regular Sessions 
for the Admission of Electors. 

No woman may apply to be admitted a voter unless her 
name has been registered upon the last revised Women’s 
Voting List, under the title “To be made,” (to be made 
a voter). 

The general regulations, concerning the admission of 
electors, apply to the admission of women voters. 


The Registration of Women Voters. 

The Town Clerk keeps a Women’s Voting List, upon 
which are registered the names of those women who have 
been admitted as voters of the town. 

At the regular Sessions for Registration, the Registrars 
revise this list. They also register upon it, under the title 
“To be made,” the names of those women who make a 
claim that they will be entitled to be made voters. 

The requirements concerning Registration Claims, as 
noted on page 9, apply to women voters. 

The general regulations, concerning the registration of 
voters, apply to the registration of women voters. 


Party Enrollment of Voters. 

Each person intending to vote at a political Primary, 
or Caucus (held for the nomination of party candidates 
for offices to be filled at a State, Town, or City Election), 
must have been enrolled as a member of the Party holding 
the Primary or Caucus. 

Application for party enrollment is made at a Session 
for Party Enrollment. 


10 


Sessions for Party Enrollment of Voters. 

In every town, in which an election is to be held during 
the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, the 
Registrars hold a Session on the first and second Fridays 
of February, to make Party enrollment lists of the voters 
of the town. A similar Session is held on the first and 
second Friday of August, in every town in which an elec¬ 
tion is to be held during the months of September, October, 
November, December, January, February. 

Notice of the times and places of holding Sessions is 
published in each town several days previously. 

If an elector Is enrolled upon a Political Party list, and 
wishes to become affiliated with a different Political Party, 
he makes application to the Registrars at a Session for 
Enrollment, to have his name cancelled from the former 
list, and transferred to the list of the Party with which 
he wishes to become enrolled. Application for trans¬ 
ference of party enrollment may be made in person, or 
in writing. When an elector removes from one Ward or 
Voting District into another, he should make a personal, 
or written statement of his removal to the Registrars, (at 
a Session for Enrollment), so that his name may be trans¬ 
ferred to the Party List of the Ward or District into which 
he has removed. 

Voting Wards or Districts. 

The larger towns and all cities are divided into Voting 
Wards, or Voting Districts. 

A person may not be registered upon the Voting List 
of any Ward or District other than upon that of the Ward 
or District in which he resides. 

In each Ward or District there is a Voting Place, where 
the voters residing in the Ward or District cast their votes 
at an election. A person may not vote in any Ward or Dis¬ 
trict other than in that Ward or District in which he re¬ 
sides. 

In towns not divided into Wards or Districts there are 
appointed Voting Places. 


11 


General Form of Ballot. 

The Ballot used at the election of National, State, Town, 
City and Borough Officers, is of the following form: 

The Ballot contains a number of parallel Party Columns, 
and a parallel Blank Column. At the head of each Party 
Column is printed the title of a Political Party. In each 
Party Column is printed a list of the public offices to be 
filled at the election, and a list of the Party candidates 
for each office. A voting space is at the left of each candi¬ 
date’s name. In the Blank Column is a list of the offices 
to be filled, with a blank space beneath the title of each 
office. Directions for marking the Ballot are printed at 
the head of the Ballot. 

This form of Ballot is also used at Special Elections for 
the election of State, Town, City, or Borough Officers. 

Voting Machines. 

Voting machines may be used in place of ballots. Each 
voting machine bears full information as to the manner 
of using it when voting. 


12 


II. 


ELECTIONS HELD IN THE STATE OF 
CONNECTICUT. 

f The National Presidential Election; The State' 
jElection; Town Meetings; City Meetings; Borough- 
(Meetings. 

The National Presidential Election. 

Presidential Electors 

Every fourth year, on the Tuesday after the first Monday 
in November, the voters of Connecticut, by a state-wide 
vote, elect seven Electors of the President and Vice- 
President of the United States. 1 

The next election of Presidential Electors will take place 
in the year 1916. 

The State Election: Officers Elected. 

A State Election is held biennially in even years, on the 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November. 

State Executive Officers 

(1) At each State Election the following State Executive 
Officers are elected, by a state-wide vote, for a term of 
office of two years: 2 The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, 
Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Comptroller. 

An Attorney-General is elected at alternate State Elec¬ 
tions by a state wide vote, for a term of office of four years. 

United States Senators 

(2) Connecticut is represented in the National Senate 
by two United States Senators. 

The term of office of each United States Senator is six 
years. 


1 Presidential Election. Page 16 

2 State Executive Officers.Page 21 


13 






United States Senators are henceforth to be elected at 
State Elections by a state-wide vote. A United States 
Senator is to be elected at the State Election, held in the 
year preceding the expiration of the term of a holder of 
office. 1 

United States Representatives 

(3) Connecticut is represented in the National House 
of Representatives by five United States Representatives. 

The State is divided into five Congressional Districts. 
At each State Election one Representative is elected by 
the voters of each District, for a term of office of two years. 2 

State Senators 

(4) The State is divided into thirty-five Senatorial 
Districts. At each State Election one Senator is elected 
to the General Assembly by the voters of each District, 
for a term of office of two years. 3 

State Representatives 

(5) At each State Election the voters of every town 
elect one, or two Representatives to the General Assembly, 
for a term of office of two years. 4 

Probate Judges 

(6) Each County contains a number of Probate Dis¬ 
tricts. A Probate Judge is elected by the voters of every 
District, at each State Election, for a term of office of 
two years. 


Sheriff 

(7) A Sheriff is elected by the voters of each County 
at alternate State Elections, for a term of office of four 
years. 


1 United States Senators.Page 18 

2 United States Representatives .Page 19 

3 State Senators and Representatives.Page 26 

4 Towns which in 1874 elected two representatives are still entitled to elect two. 

A town having a population of 6000 inhabitants is entitled to elect two Represen¬ 
tatives. a town having a population of less than 6000 is entitled to elect one. 

Probate Judges. Page 29 

Sheriff .Page 29 


14 








(8) An alotted number of Justices of the Peace are 
elected by the voters of each town, at each State Election, 
for a term of office of two years. 

Constitutional Amendments. 

(9) Constitutional Amendments and Public Questions 
may be submitted to popular vote at a State Election. 

Town Meetings. 

Town Meetings are held annually;—the majority of 
them are held in October. 

At a Town Meeting Executive Officers of Town Govern¬ 
ment are elected, and, when necessary, Town Questions are 
voted upon. 1 

Town Officers are elected for various terms of office. 

(4) City Meetings. 

City Meetings are held annually, or biennially. 

At a City Meeting Executive and Legislative officers 
of City Government are elected, and, when necessary, City 
Questions are voted upon. 2 

City Officers are elected for various terms of office. 3 

(5) Borough Meetings. 

Borough Meetings are held annually for the election of 
Borough Officers. 4 Questions concerning the Borough may 
be voted upon. 

Special Elections. 

A Special Election may be held, when necessary, to fill 
a vacancy in office, 6 or to submit a public question to 
popular vote. 


1 Officers of Town Government .Page 80 

2 Officers of CityGovernment.Page 31 

8 As under the provision of the City Charter. 

4 Officers of Borough Government... # .Page 83 


5 A Special Election may be held to fill a vacancy in a city office, when so pro¬ 
vided by City Charter. 


15 






UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE- 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. 


The United States Constitution provides that the 
President and Vice-President of the United States shall be 
elected by the vote of chosen Electors. 

Each State is entitled to elect as many Presidential 
Electors as it has Senators and Representatives in Con¬ 
gress. 1 

Each State elects its entitled number of Electors on the 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every fourth 
year. 

The election of Electors is called a Presidential Election. 

The Electoral candidates of each political party are 
pledged, if elected, to vote for National Party candidates, 
for President and Vice-President. Thus the political party 
having the greatest number of electoral candidates elected 
throughout the United States, at a Presidential Election, 
has won the election of its candidates for President and 
Vice-President. 

The actual voting of the Electors for President and Vice- 
President has become a mere matter of form, to comply 
with the provisions of the Constitution. It takes place 
as follows: 

Some weeks after their election the Electors of each 
State meet, on a day fixed by law, at their State Capitol, 
and each give a vote in writing for a President, and for a 
Vice-President. 

These votes in writing are transmitted to Washington 
and there counted by the President of the Senate, in the 
presence of both Houses, and the names of the candidates 
elected as President and Vice-President announced. 


1 The Election of Presidential Electors in Connecticut.page 18 


16 




III. 


DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICERS OF THE 
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. 

The National Government has three departments of 
government: (1) The Executive Department; (2) The 
Legislative Department; (3) The Judicial Department. 

The Executive Department. 

(President, Vice-President, and Cabinet.) 

President. 

The President takes office on the Fourth of March 
following his election, and serves a term of office of four 
years. He receives an annual salary of $75,000. 

As Chief Executive of the Nation he has the following 
powers and duties:—(1) He commands the Army and 
Navy; (2) he has power to make treaties, with the consent 
of the Senate; (3) he has power to convene both Houses 
of Congress on extraordinary occasions; (4) he has power 
to veto any bill, or resolution, passed by Congress, subject 
to the power of Congress to finally pass the same by a 
two-thirds majority vote of each House; (5) he appoints 
Ambassadors and Consuls; (6) he appoints Justices and 
Judges of the Federal Courts, (subject to the consent of 
the Senate); (7) he commissions all Officers of the United 
States; (8) he grants reprieves and pardons for offenses 
against the United States (except in cases of impeachment); 

(9) he keeps Congress informed of the state of the Union; 

(10) he recommends measures to Congress; (11) he 
appoints the Members of his Cabinet. 

Vice-President. 

The Vice-President takes office on the Fourth of March 
following his election, and serves a term of office of four 
years. 


17 


His chief duty is to act as President of the Senate. In 
case the office of President becomes vacant, he succeeds 
to the Presidency. 

He receives an annual salary of $12,000. 

The Cabinet. 

The Members of the Cabinet form a private council to 
the President. Each is at the head of a Department, being 
appointed to office by the President. 

The ten Members of the Cabinet are: The Secretary of 
State; The Secretary of the Treasury; The Secretary of 
War; The Attorney-General; The Postmaster-General; 
The Secretary of the Navy; The Secretary of the Interior; 
The Secretary of Agriculture; The Secretary of Commerce; 
The Secretary of Labor. 

Each receives an annual salary of $12,000. 

The Legislative Department. 

Congress. 

(1) The Senate; (2) The House of Representatives. 

Congress is the National Legislature. It is composed 
of an Upper and a Lower House,—the Senate and the 
House of Representatives. These Houses pass bills which 
become national laws. 

Each Congress holds a First and Second Session. The 
length of time during which Sessions are held varies. 

The present is the Sixty-Third Congress; its term is 
March 4, 1913-March 4, 1915. 

(1) The Senate 

Each State is represented in the Senate by two United 
States Senators. 

United States Senators were formerly elected by their 
State Legislatures. The Constitutional Amendment of 
May 31, 1914, provided for the direct election of United 
States Senators, by the people of their States. They will 
henceforth be elected at general State Elections. 


18 


United States Senators take office on the Fourth of 
March following their election, and serve for a term of 
office of six years. One-third of the Members of the Senate 
retire every two years, so that the whole body is renewed 
in a period of every six years. 

The Vice-President is the President of the Senate. 

Each United States Senator receives an annual salary 
of $7,500. 

(2) The House of Representatives. 

The House of Representatives represents the Nation on 
the basis of population. Each State, according to its 
population, is divided into a number of Congressional 
Districts. 1 One Representative is elected to Congress from 
each District. 

Each State elects its Representatives at a General State 
Election held in even years. Representatives take office 
on the Fourth of March following their election, and serve 
for a term of office of two years. On assembling, they elect 
a presiding officer, called the Speaker. 

The Speaker receives an annual salary of $12,000 . 

Each Representative receives an annual salary of $7,500. 

The Judicial Department. 

Federal Courts. 

There are three chief classes of Federal Courts: (I) The 
Supreme Court; (II) The Circuit Courts of Appeals; 
(III) The District Courts. There are also a Court of Claims 
and a Court of Customs Appeals. 

The Federal Courts deal with all cases beyond, or 
entitled to pass beyond, the jurisdiction of the State 
Courts. 

(I) The Supreme Court. 

The Supreme Court sits at Washington; it tries cases 
appealed from the lower Federal Courts. It has a chief 
Justice and eight Associate Justices, who are appointed by 


1 Congressional Districts of Connecticut. 

19 


Page 48 




the President, with the consent of the Senate, and who hold 
office for life, being removable only by impeachment. 

The Chief Justice receives an annual salary of $15,000. 

Each Associate Justice receives an annual salary of 
$14,500. 

Judicial Circuits; Judicial Districts. 

The territory of the United States is divided into nine 
Judicial Circuits. Each Judicial Circuit is divided into a 
number of Judicial Districts. 

In each Judicial Circuit is held a Circuit Court of 
Appeals. In each Judicial District is held a District 
Court. 

(II) Circuit Courts of Appeals. 

Each Circuit Court of Appeals may be held by an 
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (appointed to the 
Circuit), or by the Circuit Judges for the Circuit, 1 or by 
the District Judges fcr the Circuit. 

(Ill) District Courts. 

Each District Court is held by a District Judge. It 
tries cases beyond, or entitled to pass beyond, the Juris¬ 
diction of the State Courts, which are within its own 
Judicial District. 

District Judges are appointed to office by the President, 
with the consent of the Senate, and hold office for life, 
being removal only by impeachment. 

Each District Judge receives an annual salary of $7,000. 

Court of Claims. 

Claims against the United States are brought before this 
Court. It is held by a Chief Justice and four Judges. The 
Chief Justice receives an annual salary of $6,500. Each 
Judge receives an annual salary of $6,000. 

Court of Customs Appeals. 

Appeals of Custom cases are brought before this Court. 
It is held by a presiding Judge and four Associate Judges. 
Each receives an annual salary of $7,000. 


l The Circuit Courts have been abolished, but the Circuit Judges retained 
to sit at Circuit Courts of Appeals. 

20 



IV. 


GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICERS 
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. 1 

Connecticut like all other states has three departments 
of government: (1) The Executive Department; (2) The 
Legislative Department; (3) The Judicial Department. 

The Executive Department. 

(Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, 
Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney-General. 

(2) State Boards and Commissions). 

Governor. 

The Governor takes office on the Wednesday after the 
first Monday of January, following his election, and 
serves a term of office of four years. He erceives an an¬ 
nual salary of $5,000 

As Chief Executive of the State he has the following 
powers and duties: (1) He sees that the laws are kept; 
(2) he reports to the General Assembly information 
regarding the state of government, and recommends to it 
what measures he considers expedient; (3) he is Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the Militia of the State; (4) on special 
emergencies he may convene the General Assembly in 
Special Session, at any place in the State; (5) he may 
adjourn the General Assembly in case oi disagreement 
between the two Houses, to whatever time he considers 
fit, (not beyond the day of the next stated Session); (6) 
he has power to veto any bill passed by the General 

1 Book of Reference: Register and Manual, State of Connecticut, 1914. 

21 



Assembly, (but his veto may be over-ridden by a majority 
vote in both houses); (7) he has power to grant reprieves 
in all cases except impeachment; (8) he signs all Commis¬ 
sions; (9) he nominates to the General Assembly the Judges 
of the Supreme Court of Errors, Superior Court, Courts 
of Common Pleas, and District Courts; (10) he appoints 
several State Commissioners; (11) with the consent of 
the Senate he appoints a number of State Commissioners 
and Boards. 1 He is a member, ex officio, of several State 
Boards. 


Lieutenant-Governor. 

The Lieutenant-Governor acts as President of the Senate. 

In case of a vacancy in the office of Governor, he fills 
the office until the next election for Governor. 

He is not entitled to a vote in the Senate, unless the 
Senate is equally divided, in which case, he gives the cast¬ 
ing vote. 

He is, ex officio, a member of the State Board of Educa¬ 
tion. 

The Lieutenant-Governor receives an annual salary of 
$1,500. 


Secretary of State. 

The Secretary of State keeps the state public records, 
and the Acts, Resolutions and Orders of the General 
Assembly. He superintends the publication of laws, and 
publishes annually the State Register and Manual. He 
attests commissions issued by the State. He is required 
to receive and approve reports of the expenditures of can¬ 
didates for public office. He administers the oath of office 
to the Senators at the opening of the Assembly. He is a 
member of the State Board of Canvassers. 

The Secretary of State receives an annual salary of 
$1,500. 


x Commissioners and Boards appointed by Governor, page 24. 


22 



Treasurer. 

The Treasurer is in charge of the State public moneys. 
It is his duty to make an annual report to the Governor 
of the recepts and expenditures of the State during the 
preceding fiscal year. This report the Governor lays before 
the Assembly at its next Session. It is also his duty to 
prepare biennially an estimate of State expenditures for 
the ensuing two years. He has the management of the 
School Fund and of the Agriculture College Fund. 

He is a member of the State Board of Equalization, 
Board of Canvassers and Board of Control. 

The Treasurer receives an annual salary of $1,500 and 
$1,000 for the management of the School Fund. 

Comptroller. 

The Comptroller is in charge of the fiscal affairs of the 
State. It is his duty, in general, to keep an account of the 
debts and credits of the State, to examine into the collec¬ 
tion of taxes, and to bring suit for recovery of the money 
or property of the State. At the opening of each regular 
Session of the General Assembly, he presents a statement 
of the receipts and expenditures of public funds during 
the two preceding fiscal years. He is, ex officio, a member 
of the State Board of Equalization, Board of Canvassers 
and the Board of Control. 

The Comptroller receives an annual salary of $1,500. 

Attorney-General. 

The Attorney-General is in charge of State legal matters. 
It is his duty, in general, to appear for the State, and for 
State elective officers, State Boards and Commissions in 
certain suits and civil preceedings, — to give his opinion 
upon questions of law submitted to him by the General 
Assembly, — to appear before Legislative Committees 
when certain legislative measures are pending, and to act 
as general counsel for State officials. 

The Attorney-General receives an annual salary of $5,000. 

23 


State Boards and Commissions. 

A number of State Boards, Commissions and Officers 
are appointed to aid the Executive Officers in attending 
to the various branches of State affairs. The following 
are the most important: 

Public Utilities Commission. (Three Commissioners, 
appointed by the General Assembly, on nomination by the Gov¬ 
ernor. Term six years. The terms of those holding office expire 
July 1st, 1915, 1917, 1919. Salary of each $5,000.) 

Bank Commissioners. (Two Commissioners, appointed by 
the Governor, with the consent of the Senate. Term four years. 
Salary of each $4,000.) 

Insurance Commissioner. (Appointed by the Governor, 
with the consent of the Senate. Term four years. Salary $3,500). 


Tax Commissioner. (Appointed by the Governor, with the 
consent of the Senate. Term four years. Salary $3,000.) 


State Board of Education. (The Board is composed of 
the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, ex officio, and five mem¬ 
bers. One member is appointed by the Governor for a term of 
two years, and four members are appointed by the General Assembly 
for a term of four years. The Board appoints a Secretary as 
chief executive officer, who is not a member of the Board. His 
salary is $5,000.) 


State Board of Health. (Six members, appointed by the 
Governor, with the consent of the Senate. Term six years. The 
terms of two members expire every odd year.) 

*Compensation Commissioners. (Five Commissioners were 
appointed by the Governor, Oct. 1, 1913, each for a different length 
of term. As each term expires a new Commissioner will be appointed 
for a term of five years. The Commissioners investigate claims 
made by workmen injured during employment, and see that they 
receive compensation from their employers. Salary $4,000 each, 
and a sum for expenses.) 


24 


Factory Inspector. (Appointed by the Governor. Term 
four years. Salary $2,500.) 

State Board of Charities. (Five members, appointed by 
the Governor, with the consent of the Senate. Term four years. 
The terms of two members expire July 1, 1915, and of three mem¬ 
bers July 1, 1917.) 

State Board of Agriculture. (Five members, appointed by 
the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, one from each Con¬ 
gressional District,— and a number of members elected by the 
Senators and Representatives of each County. The Governor and 
Lieutenant-Governor, ex-officio, are members of the Board. Each 
member’s term is four years.) 

Highway Commissioner. (Appointed by the Governor, with 
the consent of the Senate. Term four years. Salary $5,000.) 

Commissioner of Building and Loan Associations. (Ap¬ 
pointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate. Term 
two years. Salary $2,500.) 

Commissioner of Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Appointed 
by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate. Term four years. 
Salary $2,500.) 

Dairy and Food Commissioner. (Appointed by the Governor 
with the consent of the Senate. Term four years, salary, $3,000.) 

State Police. (Five Commissioners, appointed by the Judges 
of the Superior Court, for a term of two years. The Commissioners 
appoint a Superintendent and an Assistant Superintendent, for 
a term of two years. Superintendent’s salary, $,3000. Assistant 
Superintendent’s salary, $2,000.) 

State Board of Pardons. (The Governor, ex-officio, and 
a member appointed by the Judges of the Supreme Court, and four 
members appointed by the Governor. Terms of two members expire 
in 1915 and of two in 1917.) 

State Civil Service Commission. (On September 1, 1913, 
the Governor appointed three Civil Service Commissioners, one to 
hold office two years, one four years and one six years. In 
1915 and biennially thereafter, one Commissioner will be appointed 
to hold office six years.) 


25 


State Board of Mediation and Arbitration. (Members 
appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, or a 
term of three years ) 

Commission for Promotion of Uniformity of Legislation, 
in the United States. (Members of the Commission appointed by 
the Governor, with the consent of the Senate.) 

State Board of Equalization. (The members are the 
State Treasurer, Comptroller, and Tax Commissioner.) 

State Board of Control. (The members are the Governor, 
Comptroller, State Treasurer, Attorney General.) 

Legislative Department. 

The General Assembly. 

The General Assembly is composed of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives. These Houses pass bills 
which become State laws. 

The General Assembly meets for regular Session once 
every two years, on the Wednesday after the first Monday 
in January, in odd-numbered years. 

The Governor may convene the General Assembly in 
extra Session when necessary. 

(1) The Senate. 

There are thirty-five Members of the Senate. 

The State is divided into thirty-five Senatorial Districts. 
One Senator is elected from each District at each State 
Election, to hold office two years. 

The Lieutenant-Governor is, ex-officio, President of the 
Senate. He has no vote in the Senate, except if the 
members are equally divided, when he has a casting vote. 

The Senate has power to try impeachments. It confirms 
certain appointments made by the Governor. 

Each Senator receives a salary of $300. 

(2) The House of Representatives. 

There are two hundred and fifty-eight Members of the 
House of Representatives. One or two Representatives 


26 


are elected by the voters of each town at each State Elec¬ 
tion. Towns which in 1874 elected two Representatives 
are still entitled to elect two. A town having a population 
of 5,000 is entitled to elect two Representatives; a town 
having a population of less than 5,000 is entitled to elect 
one Representative. 

The House of Representatives, on convening, elects a 
Speaker. The House has the right to institute proceedings 
for impeachment and to propose Amendments to the 
State Constitution. 


Judicial Department. 

State Courts. 

(1) The Supreme Court of Errors. 

The Supreme Court of Errors tries cases appealed from 
the lower courts. It has a Chief Justice and four Associate 
Judges, who are nominated by the Governor and appointed 
by the General Assembly, for a term of office of eight 
years. 

Salary of Chief Justice, $8,000. Salary of Associate 
Judges, $7,500. 

(2) Superior Court. 

The Superior Court holds Sessions in each County. 

This Court has eleven Judges who are appointed by the 
General Assembly, on the nomination of the Governor, 
for a term of office of eight years. The Court appoints 
for each County a State’s Attorney. 

Each Judge receives a salary of $7,500. 

(3) Courts of Common Pleas. 

The following five Counties have a Court of Common 
Pleas: Hartford, New Haven, New London, Fairfield and 
Litchfield. Each Court has a Judge appointed by the 
General Assembly, on the nomination of the Governor, 
for a term of office of four years. 


27 


V. 


CONNECTICUT COUNTY, TOWN, CITY AND 
BOROUGH GOVERNMENT. 


The State is divided into eight counties, which are sub¬ 
divided into towns, within which are cities and boroughs. 


County Government. 

County Officers. 

The government of each county is carried on by the 
following officers: (1) County Commissioners; (2) County 
Treasurer; (3) State’s Attorney; (4) Clerk of Courts; 
(5) Prosecuting Agents; (6) County Auditors; (7) Sheriff; 
(8) County Health Officer; (9) Town, City and Borough 
Health Officers. 

All are appointed, except the Sheriff, who is elected by 
the voters of the county at alternate State Elections, for 
a term of office of four years. The salaries of County 
Officers vary in different counties. 

(1) County Commissioners. 

There are three County Commissioners for each County, 
appointed by the General Assembly, for a term of four 
years. 

It is their duty, in general,—to attend to the affairsof the 
County,—to have charge of County property,—to see that 
the towns maintain good highways,—to have in charge the 
erection and repair of county buildings,—to appoint certain 
officers, etc. They keep an account of the receipts and 
expenses of the County. 


28 


(2) County Treasurer. 

The County Commissioners of each County appoint a 
County Treasurer, in odd-numbered years, for a term of 
office of two years. 


(3) State’s Attorney. 

A State’s Attorney is appointed by the Judges of the 
Superior Court for a term of office of two years. 

(4) Clerk of Courts. 

A Clerk of Courts for the County is appointed annually 
by the Judges of the Superior Court of the County. 

(5) County Auditors. 

The Representatives elected to the Assembly in each 
County, and the Senators resident in the same County, 
in odd-numbered years, appoint from their own number 
two Auditors for the County. 

(6) The Sheriff. 

A Sheriff for the County is elected by the voters of the 
County at alternate State Elections, for a term of 
office of four years. 

Probate Courts. 

Each County is divided into a number of Probate Dis¬ 
tricts. There is a Probate Court in each District, held by 
a Probate Judge. At each State Election the voters of 
each Probate District elect a Probate Judge for a term of 
two years. 


29 


Town Government. 


The government of each town is carried on by Town 
Officers elected at the Town Meeting. 

In addition to the Election of Officers at the Town 
Meeting, Town Measures and Questions are voted upon. 

Town Officers. 

The following are the chief Town Officers: (1) The 
Town Clerk; (2) The Treasurer; (3) Selectmen; (4) Asses¬ 
sors; (5) Collector of Taxes; (6) Auditors; (7) Grand 
Jurors; (8) Board of Relief; (9) Agent of Town Deposit 
Fund; (10) School Committee, or School Visitors, or Board 
of Education; (11) Registrars of Voters; (12) Constables; 
(13) Justices of the Peace (elected at the State Election). 

In some towns officers are elected annually, in others 
biennially. Certain officers may be elected for a term of 
office of several years. 

When a town and city have become incorporated, Town 
Officers are elected at the City Election. 

The salaries of Town Officers vary in different towns. 
The titles of the foregoing offices in most instances, indicate 
the duties of the office. 


Selectmen. 

The Selectmen superintend the affairs of the town, ap¬ 
point certain town officers, admit electors (at Sessions for 
Admission), settle claims against the town, act as overseers 
of the poor. 

Assessors. 

The Assessors compile a list of those persons of the 
town liable to be taxed, and make a valuation upon their 
property. 

Board of Relief. 

The Board hears appeals from the decision of the 
Assessors. 


30 


Grand Jurors. 

The Grand Jurors investigate crimes and misdemeanors 
committed in the town, and bring complaints before the 
Courts. 

Registrars of Voters. 

The towns of Hartford and New Britain elect Registrars 
biennially in even-numbered years, for a term of two years, 
and the town of Norwich biennially in odd-numbered years, 
for a term of two years. Other towns elect Registrars 
annually. 1 

Town Offices to which Women are Eligible. 

Women are entitled to serve as members of the School 
Committee, of the Board of School Visitors, of the Board 
of Education, and of School District Committees. 

Women are entitled to hold the office of Assistant 
Town Clerk, and of Registrar of Vital Statistics and of 
Assistant Registrar of Vital Statistics. 

Town Judicial Officers. 

Judges of Town Courts are appointed by the General 
Assembly, for a term of two years. 

Each town may elect a number of Justices of the Peace, 
equal in number to one-half the number of Jurors to which 
the town is entitled. Justices of the Peace are elected in 
each town at the State Election, for a term of two years. 


City Government . 1 

The officers of City Government vary to a certain 
extent in different cities, but all cities have three groups 
of officers, — executive, legislative and judicial. 

The majority of the chief executive officers, and all 
legislative officers are elected at City Meetings. 

City meetings are held annually or biennially. 

i Unless otherwise provided by Special Act at Town Meetings [Public Acts, 
1913, Chapter 86). 


31 




Executive Officers. 


(1) The Mayor. (2) City Clerk, City Auditor, City 
Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Registrars of Voters, etc. 
(3) Officers of Departments and Boards, City Commis¬ 
sioners. 


The Mayor. 

The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the city. 

He sees that the laws are kept; he presides over the 
meetings of one of the Boards of the City Council; he 
annually presents to the City Council a message regarding 
the condition of the city and recommends what 
measures he considers advisable to be passed. 

He has power to veto a bill passed by the City Council, 
in which case the bill must be passed a second time by the 
Council before it can become a law. 


Legislative Officers. 

The City Council. 

The City Council, which is the City Legislature, may be 
composed of two Boards:— (1) Board of Aldermen — 
(2) Board of Councilmen. But in most cities the City 
Council is composed of one Board. 

The larger cities are divided into Wards, and each 
member of the City Council is elected by the voters of a 
Ward. In smaller cities the members of the City Council 
are elected by a city-wide vote. 


Judicial Officers. 

(1) Judge of City Courts; (2) Judges of Police Courts. 
The Judges are appointed by the General Assembly for 
terms of office of two years. 

Justices of the Peace for each town are elected by the 
voters of the town at the State Election. 


32 


Borough Government. 

(1) Warden; Borough Officers; (2) Burgesses. 

A portion of a town or city may be incorporated into a 
Borough, which is governed by special officers, who are 
elected annually at a Borough Meeting. 

The Warden is the chief executive officer of the 
Borough. Other executive officers are the Borough 
Clerk, Borough Treasurer, Borough Tax Collector, 
Borough Auditors, etc. 

The Burgesses act as a Legislative Body, and pass 
by-laws for the Borough. 


33 


VI. 


OFFICERS OF BRIDGEPORT CITY GOVERNMENT. 

The City Meeting:—Elective Officers. 

The City Election is held annually on the Tuesday after 
the first Monday in November. 

The following officers are elected in odd years, by a 
city-wide vote, for a term of office of two years: The 
Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, 
Town Clerk, City Sheriffs. 

Annually one-half of the Common Council is elected for a 
term of office of two years. (One Alderman is elected 
in each voting district.) 

Annually four members of the Board of Education are 
elected. 

Officers of City Government. 


Executive Officers. 

The Mayor.Salary S3,000 

City Clerk. “ 3,000 

Assistant City Clerk (appointed by City 

Clerk). “ 1,500 

City Auditor (appointed by Mayor).... “ 4,500 

Deputy City Auditor (appointed by 

Auditor. “ 1,200 

City Treasurer. “ 800 

Collector of Taxes. “ 2,500 

Assistant Collector of Taxes (appointed 

by Collector). “ 1,500 

City Attorney (appointed by Mayor; 

term two years). “ 3,000 


x Books of Reference: “Report to the Committee of Audit.” By Peter White. 
(1913.) “Year Book of City Officers,” (1914). 


34 











City Engineer (appointed by Mayor; 

term two years). “ 4,000 

Town Clerk. “ 2,500 

The Mayor is, ex officio, a member of the Board of 
Apportionment and Taxation, Board of Sinking Fund 
Commissioners, Board of Assessors, Board of Charities, 
Board of Health Commissioners, Board of Relief, Board 
of Police Commissioners, Board of Fire Commissioners, 
etc., and is a member of the Common Council. 

Legislative Officers. 

The Common Council. 

The Common Council is composed of twenty-four 
members. The City is divided into twelve Voting Districts 
— from each of which one Alderman is elected at each 
City Election for a term of office of two years. 

The Common Council passes City laws called Ordinances. 

Officers of City Departments and Boards. 

Board of Apportionment and Taxation. 

(Twelve members. — The Mayor annually appoints 
four members, for a term of three years. 

This Board has control of the expenditure of public 
money, it fixes the tax rate necessary to cover public 
expenses, and apportions funds for the running expenses 
of City Government.) 

Sinking Fund Commissioners. 

(Four Commissioners. — Annually appointed by the 
Mayor, for a term of two years.) 

Board of Assessors. 

(Four members. — The Mayor annually appoints one 
member, for a term of four years. Salaries $1,800.) 


35 




Personal Tax Collectors. 

(Three in number, appointed by the Mayor. — Term 
four years. Salaries $1,450.) 

City Departments. 

(There is a Police Department, Health Department, 
Charities Department, and Fire Department. For each 
Department there is a Board composed of four Commis¬ 
sioners. The Mayor annually appoints two members of 
each Board, who hold office two years. Commissioners 
receive no salary. The Board of Police Commissioners 
promotes to office a Superintendent of Police, whose annual 
salary is $2,500. The Board of Health Commissioners 
appoints a Health Officer, for a term of four years, whose 
annual salary is $1,500. The Board of Charities Com¬ 
missioners annually appoints a Superintendent of Poor, 
whose salary is $2,000. 

There is a Department of Public Works, at the head 
of which is a Director of Public Works, appointed by 
the Mayor, for a term of three years. Annual salary $2,500. 

There is a Park Department, at the head of which is 
a Commission of eight members. One Commissioner is 
appointed annually by the members of the Commission, 
for a term of eight years.) 

Board of Education. 

(Sixteen members. — Four are elected annually at the 
City Election, for a term of three years. The Board 
appoints a Superintendent of Schools, whose annual 
salary is $4,200.) 

Board of Appraisal of Benefits and Damages. 

(Three members. — The Mayor annually appoints one 
member for a term of three years. Annual salaries $900.) 

Board of Contract and Supply. 

(Three members. — The Mayor annually appoints one 
member for a term of three years.) 

36 


Library Board. 

(Nine members. — The terms of three members expire 
annually, and three new members are elected by the Board 
for a term of three years.) 

Board of Relief. 

(Four members. — The Mayor annually appoints one 
member for a term of four years. Annual salaries, $200.) 

Registrar of Voters. 

(Appointed by the Board of Aldermen.) 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. 

(Appointed annually by the Mayor. — Salary $1,500.) 

Harbor Master. 

(Appointed by the Council for a term of three years. — 
Annual salary $1,200.) 

Selectmen. 

(Five in number, elected annually at the City Election.) 

Judicial Department. 

City Court. 

( City Judge , appointed by the General Assembly.— 
Term two years. Annual salary $2,500.) 

(Deputy Judge , appointed by the General Assembly.— 
Term, two years. Annual salary $2,500.) 

(Clerk and Assistant Clerk , appointed by the Judge.) 

(Prosecuting Attorney , appointed by the Judge.) 

(City Sheriffs , elected at the CityE lection in odd years.) 

(Justices of the Peace , elected at the State Election.) 


37 


VI. 


OFFICERS OF HARTFORD CITY GOVERNMENT, i 


The City Meeting: Elective Officers. 


The City election is held annually the first Tuesday 
in April. 

The following officers are elected biennially, in even years, 
for a term of two years: The Mayor, Treasurer, Collector, 
Controller, Clerk, City Marshal, Registrars of Voters 1 2 , 
Selectmen. (The Mayor and City Marshal take office 
immediately after election, the remaining take office the 
first Monday in June.) 

One-half the Board of Aldermen and the entire Common 
Council Board are elected annually. 

The Board of Assessors, consists of three members, who 
are elected triannually for a term of three years. (The 
next election will take place in 1916.) 

The Board of School Visitors consists of nine members, 
three of whom are elected annually, for a term of three 
years.) 

The High School Committee consists of five members 
who are elected annually. 

Six Grand Jurors are elected annually. 

Constables are elected every fourth odd year for a 
term of office of four years. (The next election will take 
place in April, 1915.) 


Officers of City Government. 
Executive Officers. 


The Mayor.Salary, 

Clerk 3 . “ 

Collector of Taxes. “ 

Treasurer. 11 


$3,500 
2,000 
4,000 
4,000 


1 Book of Reference: “Hartford City Manual.” 

2 The Registrars hold office until January, 1917. 

3 The office of City Clerk and Town Clerk are held by the same officer. 


38 







Controller. a 2,500 

City Marshal. “ 500 

Registrars of Voters. “ 2,400 

Assessors. “ 2,500 

Selectmen. “ 


Legislative Officers. 

Court of Common Council. 

The Court of the Common Council is composed of two 
Boards: The Board of Aldermen and the Common Council 
Board. 

The Board of Aldermen consists of twenty members; 
the Common Council Board consists of forty members. 
The city is divided into ten Wards. Annually in each 
Ward one member of the Board of Aldermen is elected 
for a term of two years, and four members of the Common 
Council Board for a term of one year. 

The Court of Common Council passes city laws called 
Ordinances. 

Officers of Departments and Boards. 

Collector’s Office. 

Collector. 

(Elected at the City Election. — Term two years. 
Annual salary $4,000.) 

Personal Tax Collectors. 

(Two in number, appointed by the Mayor. — Annual 
salaries $1,500.) 

Committee on Abatement of Taxes. 

(Three members, appointed by the Mayor. One member 
serves for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, 
one for a term of three years.) 


39 







City Rate-Maker. 

(Appointed annually by the Court of Common Council. 
— Salary $400.) 

Board of Assessors. 

(Three members, elected at the City Election.— Term 
three years. Annual salaries $2,500.) 

Board of Relief. 

(Four members, elected by the Court of Common Coun¬ 
cil. — Term two years. Annual salaries $400.) 

Treasurer’s Department. 

Treasurer. 

(Elected at the City Election. — Term two years. 

Annual salary $4,000.) 

Controller’s Department. 

Controller. 

(Elected at the City Election. — Term two years. 

Annual salary $2,500.) 

Corporation Counsel. 

(Appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of the 
Board of Aldermen. — Term two years. Annual salary 
$5,000. He is legal adviser to all City Departments.) 

Educational Department. 

(1) Board of School Visitors. 

(Nine members of the Board; three are elected annually 
at the City Election. — The Board appoints a Super¬ 
intendent of Schools whose annual salary is $2,000.) 

(2) High School Committee. 

(Five members, elected annually at the City Election.) 


40 


Health Department. 

Board of Commissions. 

(The Mayor, ex officio, and six Commissioners.—Two 
are appointed annually by the Mayor, for a term of three 
years. The Board selects one of its members as Super¬ 
intendent of Health.) 

Charity Department. 

Board of Commissioners. 

(Five Commissioners, appointed by the Mayor, for a 
term of three years. — The term of one Commissioner 
expires in 1915, of two in 1916, and of two in 1917. The 
Commissioners appoint a Superintendent, whose annual 
salary is $2,000.) 

Street Department. 

Board of Commissioners. 

(Six Commissioners, appointed by the Mayor.—The 
terms of two expire annually. The Commissioners appoint 
a Superintendent of Streets, whose annual salary is $3,500.) 

Police Department. 

Board of Commissioners. 

(The Mayor, ex officio, and six Commissioners.—Two 
Commissioners are appointed annually by the Court of 
Common Council.) 

Fire Department. 

Board of Commissioners. 

(Six Commissioners, appointed by the Mayor. — The 
terms of two expire annually.) 

Building Inspector’s Department. 

Building Inspector. 

(Appointed by the Mayor. — Term two years. Annual 
salary $2,500. An Assistant Building Inspector is appointed 
by the Mayor for a term of two years, whose annual salary 
is $1,500.) 


41 


Engineering Department. 

City Engineer. 

(Appointed by the Mayor. — Annual salary $5,000.) 

Water Department. 

Board of Commissioners. 

(Six Commissioners, appointed by the Mayor.—The 
terms of two expire annually. The Board elects one of 
the Commissioners as President,—and he is the Super¬ 
intendent of the Department. His annual salary is $3,000.) 

Park Department. 

Park Board. 

(The Mayor, ex officio, and ten Commissioners.—The 
term of one Commissioner expires annually, and the Board 
elects a successor. The Board appoints a Superintendent, 
whose annual salary is $3,000.) 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. 

(Appointed biennially by the Court of Common Council. 
Annual salary $1,400.) 

Judicial Department. 

(1) City Court. 

Recorder. 

(Appointed by the General Assembly. Term two years. 
Annual salary $2,500.) 

Clerk. 

(Appointed by the Recorder. — Annual salary $1,500.) 

Marshal. 

(Elected at the City Election. —Annual salary $500.) 

Justice of the Peace. 

(Elected at the State Election.) 


42 


Grand Jurors. 

(Elected at the City Meeting.) 

Constables. 

(Elteced at the City Meeting.) 

(2) Police Court. 

Judge. 

(Appointed by the General Assembly. — Term two 
years. Annual salary $2,200.) 

Associate Judge. 

(Appointed by the General Assembly. — Term two 
years. Annual salary $2,200.) 

Prosecuting Attorney. 

(Appointed by the Judge. — Term two years. Annual 
salary $1,800. Also a Special Prosecuting Attorney, 
appointed by the Judge.) 


43 


VI. 


OFFICERS OF NEW HAVEN CITY GOVERNMENT.* 
The City Meeting: — Elective Officers. 

The City Election is held on the Tuesday after the 
first Monday in October, in odd years. 

The following officers are elected for a term of office 
of two years: The Mayor, Controller, City Treasurer 
City Clerk, Collector of Taxes, City Sheriff, six Aldermen- 
at-large, and one Alderman in each of the fifteen wards, 
five Selectmen, five Constables, Town Clerk, Registrar 
of Vital Statistics, Grand Jurors, Registrars of Voters. 

Officers of City Government. 

Executive Officers. 


The Mayor. 

.Salary 

$3,500 

Controller. 

« 

3,000 

City Clerk. 

« 

2,000 

City Treasurer. 

u 

1,000 

Collector of Taxes. 

u 

4,000 

City Sheriff. 

a 

1,200 

Town Clerk. 

a 

3,000 

Registrar of Vital Statistics. 

u 

2,000 

Two Registrars of Voters. 


Fees 


Legislative Officers. 
Board of Aldermen. 


The Board of Aldermen is composed of twenty-one 
members. The City is divided into fifteen Wards. One 
Alderman is elected by the voters of each Ward, and 
six Aldermen are elected by the voters of the entire City. 

The Board of Aldermen passes City laws called Ordi¬ 
nances. 


i Book of Reference: “The Manual of City Government, (1914).” 

44 












Officers of City Departments and Boards. 

Board of Finance. 

(This Board is composed of the Mayor, Controller, 
one Alderman, [appointed by the Board of Aldermen,] 
and six Citizen Members, [appointed by the Mayor.] 
The terms of half the Citizen Members expire February 1st, 
1915, and of half February 1st, 1916.) 

Law Department. 

(The Corporation Counsel and the Assistant Corporation 
Counsel are appointed by the Mayor, for a term of two 
years. Corporation Counsel, — annual* salary $3,500; 
Assistant Corporation Counsel, — annual salary $1,000.) 

Commissioners of the Sinking Fund. 

(Three Commissioners. — Appointed by the Mayor. 
Terms expire July 1st, 1915, 1918, 1921.) 

Special Tax Committee. 

(The members of the Committee are: The Mayor, 
Controller, Assistant Corporation Counsel, and four 
members appointed by the Mayor. Terms expire 
July 1st, 1915.) 

Board of Assessors. 

(Five members. — The Mayor appoints one member 
annually for a term of five years. Annual salaries, $2,000.) 

Department of Education. 

Board of Education. 

(Seven members. — The term of one member expires in 
1914, the terms of two members in 1915, of two members 
in 1916, and of two members in 1917. Members are 
appointed by the Mayor, for a term of four years.) 

(The Superintendent of Schools is appointed by the 
Board of Education.) 


45 


Department of Health. 

Board of Health Commissioners. 

(Five members. — The Mayor appoi nts one member 
annually, for a term of five years.) 

(A Health Officer is appointed by the Board of Health, 
whose annual salary is $2,750.) 

Department of Charities and Correction. 

Board of Charities and Correction. 

(Three members. — Appointed by the Mayor. Terms 
expire February 1st, 1916. The Mayor appoints one 
member of the Board as Superintendent of Charities, 
whose annual salary is $2,000.) 

Board of Civil Service Commissioners. 

(Three Commissioners. — Appointed by the Mayor. 
Term six years. The terms of those in office expire 
February 1st, 1915, 1917, 1919.) 

Department of Police Service. 

Board of Police Commissioners. 

(Six Commissioners. — Two Commissioners are 
annually appointed by the Mayor, for a term of three 
years.) 

Department of Fire Service. 

Board of Fire Commissioners. 

(Five members. — Appointed by the Mayor. The 
terms of two members expire February 1st, 1915, of two 
members February 1st, 1916, the term of one member 
February 1st, 1917.) 

Department of Public Works. 

Director of Public Works. 

(Appointed by the Mayor. Annual salary $2,500.) 

Bureau of Engineering. 

City Engineer. 

(Appointed by the Mayor. Annual salary $5,000.) 

46 


Department of Parks. 

Board of Park Commissioners. 

(There are several life members, and several members 
appointed by the Mayor.) 

Department of Public Library. 

Board of Directors. 

(Eight members. — Appointed by the Mayor. The 
terms of three members expire in 1915, of three in 1916, 
and of two in 1917.) 

Board of Relief. 

(Three members. — Appointed by the Mayor. Their 
terms expire February 1st, 1915, 1916, 1917. Annual 
salaries $300.) 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. 

(Elected by the Board of Aldermen. Annual salary 
$1,500.) 

Selectmen. 

(Five in number, elected at each City Election. Annual 
salaries $300.) 

Constables. 

(Five in number, elected at each City Election. 

Judicial Department. 

City Court. 

Judge. 

(Appointed by the General Assembly. Annual salary 
$3,000.) 

Associate Judge. 

(Appointed by the General Assembly. Annual salary 
$3,000.) 

City Attorney. 

(A City Attorney and an Associate City Attorney are 
appointed by the Judges. Annual salaries $2,500.) 

Clerk. 

(A Clerk and an Assistant Clerk are appointed by 
the Judges.) 

City Sheriff. 

(Elected at the City Election.) 

47 


VII. 


CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. 

First District, County of Hartford. 

Second District, Counties of Tolland, Windham, New 
London, and Middlesex. 

Third District, Towns of Cheshire, Meriden,Wallingford, 
Bethany, Hamden, North Haven, North Branford, Guilford, 
Madison, Woodbridge, Orange, Milford, New Haven, 
East Haven, and Branford. 

Fourth District, County of Fairfield. 

Fifth District, County of Litchfield and the Towns of 
South bury, Middlebury, Waterbury, Wolcott, Oxford, 
Naugatuck, Prospect, Beacon Falls, Seymour, Ansonia, 
and Derby. 

SENATORIAL DISTRICTS. 

District 1. Hartford, wards, 8, 9, and 10. 

District 2. Hartford, wards, 3, 4, 5, and 6. 

District 3. Hartford, wards, 1, 2, and 7. 

District 4. East Hartford, Glastonbury, Manchester, 
Marlborough, Newington, South Windsor, Rocky Hill, 
Wethersfield. 

District 5. Avon, Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Farming- 
ham, Plainville, Southington, West Hartford. 

District 6. New Britain. 

District 7. Bloomfield, Canton, East Granby, East 
Windsor, Enfield, Granby, Hartland, Simsbury, Suffield, 
Windsor, Windsor Locks. 

District 8. New Haven, wards 8, 9, 12, and 14. 

District 9. New Haven, wards, 1, 2, 10, and 13. 

District 10. New Haven, wards, 3, 4, and 5. 

District 11. New Haven, wards, 6, 7, 11, and 15. 

District 12. Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, 
Madison, North Branford, North Haven, Wallingford. 

District 13. Meriden. 

District 14. Bethany, Cheshire, Milford, Naugatuck, 
Orange, Prospect, Woodbridge, Wolcott. 


48 


District 15. Waterbury, wards, 1, 2, and 3. 

District 16. Waterbury, wards, 4 and 5. 

District 17. Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Middlebury, 
Oxford, Seymour, Southbury. 

District 18. Groton and New London. 

District 19. Ledyard, Norwich, Preston. 

District 20. Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, 
Griswold, Lyme, Lebanon, Lisbon, Montville, North 
Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Sprague, Stonington, 
Voluntown, Waterford. 

District 21. Bridgeport, voting districts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 

District 22. Bridgeport, voting districts 6, 7, 8, and 11. 

District 23. Bridgeport, voting districts 9, 10, and 12. 

District 24. Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fair- 
field, Redding, Ridgefield, Sherman. 

District 25. Easton, Fairfield, Huntington, Monroe, 
Newtown, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport. 

District 26. Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, Norwalk. 

District 27. Greenwich and Stamford. 

District 28. Ashford, Eastford, Killingly, Putnam, 
Thompson, Woodstock. 

District 29. Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Hampton, 
Plainfield, Pomfret, Scotland, Sterling, Windham. 

District 30. Goshen, Harwinton, Litchfield, New 
Hartford, Torrington. 

District 31. Barkhamsted, Canaan, Colebrook, Corn¬ 
wall, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, 
Winchester. 

District 32. Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Morris, New 
Milford, Plymouth, Roxbury, Thomaston, Warren, 
Washington, Watertown, Woodbury. 

District 33. Cromwell, Middlefield, Middletown. 

District 34. Chatham, Chester, Clinton, Durham, East 
Haddam, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Old Saybrook, 
Portland, Saybrook, Westbrook. 

District 35. Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, 
Ellington, Hebron, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, 
Union, Vernon, Willington. 


49 



FACTS UPON WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN THE UNITED 

STATES. 

October, 1914 

I. The Extent of Woman Suffrage . 1 

In the following nine States, and in the Territory of 
Alaska, women have full suffrage rights: 

Wyoming, (Woman Suffrage granted 1869); Colorado, 
(1893); Idaho, (1896); Utah, (1896); Washington, (1910); 
California, (1911); Arizona, (1912); Kansas, (1912); 
Oregon, (1912); Alaska, (1913). 

In Illinois, in 1913, women were granted suffrage for 
Presidential Electors, and for officers and upon questions 
not provided for in the State Constitution. 

In nineteen States women have school suffrage, and in 
five States a limited suffrage upon taxing and bonding 
questions. 

II. Effect of Woman Suffrage upon Legislation . 2 

That Woman Suffrage is of great aid in the betterment 
of human welfare, has been proved conclusively, by the 
fact that a number of much needed social and industrial 
laws have been passed in Equal Suffrage States, largely 
owing to the influence and support of women voters. 

The social laws, which women voters have supported, 
deal with: Measures for the welfare of children; measures 
establishing certain personal and property rights of 
women; and measures for general reforms. 

The industrial laws, which women voters have support- 


. In November, 1914, Woman Suffrage Amendments are to be submitted to 
the voters in several States. 

2 Sources of Reference: “Where Women Vote,” by Frances M. Bjorkman 
(National Woman Suffrage Publishing Co.) “What Women Have Done With 
The Vote?” by George Creel (National Woman Suffrage Publishing Co.) 

51 



ed, deal with: Regulations concerning the employment 
of children; regulations concerning the work hours of 
women; regulations concerning a minimum wage for 
women ; and regulations concerning workmen’s compen¬ 
sation for industrial injuries. 

The following is a brief review of this social and indus¬ 
trial legislation as enacted in the various States i 1 

Social Legislation . 2 

[Laws passed since the granting of Woman Suffrage,—up to the year 1914] 

In six States, — California, Colorado, 
Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, a 
Mother’s Pension Law has been passed, 
giving aid to needy mothers, so that 
children may be kept at home instead of 
being committed to an institution. 

In Idaho a Juvenile Delinquent Law has 
been passed, and in California a Juvenile 
Court Law, separating dependent from de¬ 
linquent children. In Colorado and Wash¬ 
ington, Juvenile Courts have been established 
in certain counties, and in Utah a Juvenile 
Court Commission has been created. 

In California, Colorado, Idaho, and Oregon, 
a State Training School for Girls has been 
established. 

In Colorado and Oregon wilful failure to 
support a wife and children has been made 
a felony. In Idaho penalties have been 
established for wilful failure to support 
children, and in Washington, Wyoming and 
Utah, penalties for the neglect of children. 
In Colorado, Idaho, and Utah, provisions 
have been made for the care of dependent 
children, and for the protection of children 
from ill-treatment. 

1 Woman Suffrage has been granted so recently in Illinois and Alaska, it has 
as yet had no definite effect upon legislation. 

2 In addition to the laws here mentioned a number of others have been passed. 

52 


Juvenile 

Court 

Law. 


State 

Training 

Schools. 


Support of 
Children 



Joint 

Guardian¬ 
ship Law. 


Property 

Rights. 


Teachers' 

Pension 

Law. 


Abatement 
and Injunc¬ 
tion Acts. 


In various States health protective measures 
for children, and educational measures have 
been provided. 1 

In California, Colorado, and Utah, a Joint 
Guardianship Law has been passed, making 
mothers equal guardians with fathers of 
minor children. 

In Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, 
an Age of Protection Law has raised the age 
of protection for girls to eighteen, and in 
California, the age has been raised to twenty - 
one. 

In Wyoming and Colorado the old laws of 
dower and curtesy have been replaced with 
property measures more favorable to women. 
In California, Idaho, and Wyoming it has 
been provided that married woman may sue 
and be sued, and in Colorado that a married 
woman may make her will. In Idaho mar¬ 
ried women have been given control over 
their independent property. 

In California, Oregon, and Washington, 
a Teacher’s Pension Law has been passed; 
and in Utah and Wyoming, a law providing 
that men and women teachers receive the 
same pay for the same work. 

In Equal Suffrage States women voters 
have widely supported vice reform measures. 
In California, Oregon and Washington they 
have supported the Abatement and Injunc¬ 
tion Act,—and in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, 2 
Utah and Wyoming, they have supported 
local municipal measures. 


1 Laws affecting the industrial welfare of children are noted under II Industrial 

Legislation. „ . , , 

2 Women have had Municipal Suffrage in Kansas for a number of years. 

53 



Prison 

Reform. 


Prohibition 

Measures. 


In Washington a Prison Reform Law has 
abolished the death penalty. In California 
all sentences, except for murder, have been 
made indeterminate; certain inhuman punish¬ 
ments have been forbidden; and arrange¬ 
ments have been made for payment of wages 
to State Prison Convicts, and for assistance 
to discharged prisoners. In Colorado an 
indeterminate term for prisoners has been 
established. 

California, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wash¬ 
ington and Wyoming have local option laws. 
In these states women voters have supported 
a number of prohibition measures. 3 


Industrial Legislation. 

[raws passed since the granting of Woman Suffrage,—up to the year 1914] 

In Arizona an Eight-Hour Law has been passed for 
women in certain industries. 

In California a Minimum Wage Law has been passed, 
establishing a commission to investigate the industry 
of women and children, with power to fix a minimum wage 
in industries paying less than a living wage; — an Amend¬ 
ment to the Child Labor Law has raised the age 
limit of child workers from twelve to fifteen; — 
the Eight-Hour Law for women has been extended to 
include certain workers; — and a Workman’s Compen¬ 
sation Law has been passed, requiring compensation for 
industrial injuries, and establishing a State Industrial 
Insurance. 

In Colorado the employment of children has been for¬ 
bidden in certain industries; — an Eight-Hour Law for 
women has been passed; — a Minimum Wage Board has 
been established to determine a minimum wage for women; 
— and employers have been made liable for industrial 
accidents. 


1 Kansas has had state-wide prohibition for a number of years, 


54 



In Idaho the employment of children has been forbidden 
in certain industries, and a Nine-Hour Law for women 
has been passed. 

In Oregon an Industrial Commission has been established 
to fix hours of labor, standard conditions of labor, and 
a minimum wage for women and children. 

In Utah the employment of children has been forbidden 
in certain industries, — a Nine-Hour Law for women 
has been passed, and a minimum wage for women estab¬ 
lished. 

In Washington an Eight-Hour Law for women has been 
passed; — an Industrial Commission has been established 
to fix hours of employment, standard conditions of labor, 
and a minimum wage for women; — and a Workman’s 
Compensation Law has been passed. 

In Wyoming the employment of children has been 
forbidden in certain industries. 


55 













